They must turn 15 by the final day of the course. Example: If the class starts January 1st and ends February 17th, students may enroll in the course as long as they turn 15 on or before February 17th. 

The Illinois Secretary of State requirements are all based on what age a person is applying for their license. Students who are looking to obtain a license before they turn 18 must show proof of the following:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Must have held a valid Instruction Permit for a minimum of 9 months.
• Must have completed 50 hours of practice driving with parents/legal guardians (or with someone who is at least 21 years old, has had their license for at least one year, and is approved by the minor's parents/legal guardians)
• Completion of an approved driver's education program that consists of a minimum of:
  • 30 Hours of classroom instruction
  • 6 Hours of behind the wheel time
  • 6 Hours of in-car observation time (student observes another student drive)
  • **Note: Students who wish to limit or forgo observation time can do so by adding additional behind the wheel time. The Illinois Secretary of State allows students to eliminate 3 hours of observation time for every extra hour of driving time added to the above requirements. 

Teens under the age of 18 are required to drive 50 hours with a licensed driver over the age of 21 who has had their license for over a year. 40 hours should be completed during daylight and 10 hours should be completed at night.  Your driving hours with an instructor may not count towards the 50 unless you purchase extra hours after the original package hours are completed. 

Absolutely. All Instructors are certified through the Secretary of State, including extensive training and background checks. 

We accept cash and all major credit/debit cards.

A deposit of $100 is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance is due 14 days after the start date of the class, however, students/parents who need to pay in installments can do so without penalties. Balance must be paid in full before any behind the wheel time can be scheduled. 

Students who fail to give at least 24 hours notice to their instructor when missing a scheduled driving/behind the wheel appointment will forfeit that lesson. If that lesson is needed to meet the minimum requirement, or if the student wishes to complete that lesson, an additional lesson will need to be purchased. 

Any refunds given will be less a $25 service fee.

Students are allowed 4 absences during the duration of their class, HOWEVER, all missed classes must be made up. If a student misses more than 4 days, the state law requires that students must start the course over. 

You can sign up for a make-up session by logging into your account and clicking on the tab labeled “classes.” After the session is missed, the class will be highlighted in red with a button that says "schedule make-up." There are two ways to make up, In-Class or Independent Study. **you must miss the class before scheduling the make up session

Independent Study: Students work independently at an Excel facility and complete assigned tasks based on the session/material missed. 

In-Class Make Up: Students schedule and attend the original session they missed and join the on going class to complete necessary material. 

Forms can be printed from our website once your student logs into their profile. Select the header labeled “FORMS” and click on the title of each form to download a printable version.

If you do not remember the password or username for your student portal, please contact the main office at 630.983.9235.

Excel will help prepare your student for the written test by having them take a practice permit test on the second day of class. This is NOT the offical exam. The offical written exam is administered at any full service DMV. Once your student passes the written and vision exams at the DMV, they are issued a learners permit. 

Behind-the-wheel sessions are initally booked through a scheduling coordinator by calling 630.319.8813. After the inital lesson, all remaining lessons are typically booked by the instructor in the vehicle. 

Students may request a switch of their behind the wheel driving coach by calling the main office at 630.983.9235.

Students under the age of 17 and 3 months must be enrolled in a driver's education program to obtain an Instruction Permit. 

On the first two days of class, students will be prepared for their Instruction Permit, including a practice permit exam on the second day of class. Upon passing the exam, they will receive a signed permit application. Once in possession of the permit application, students can apply for their permit by making an appointment at their local DMV, where they will present their required identification, the permiit application, pay a $20 fee, and take a written and vision exam. Upon passing the exams, an instruction permit will be issued. 

Note: Excel also recommends obtaining a State ID when applying for an Instruction Permit. 

• Proof of name and date of birth (certified or original copy of birth certificate or passport)
• Proof of residency (something with student's name and address)
• Proof of signature (social security card, passport, ect)
• Permit application from a certified driving school
• Permit Fee: $20.00 (also covers cost of the license)

Log in to your student’s account and check their “Status” under Student Details. If their status is “Complete”, and you see the word "SENT" listed next to your student's name, everything has been sent to the State’s office and you may start checking the status at https://apps.ilsos.gov/deccheck/.

If their status is “Incomplete”, it's most likely because we are missing a form, a class needs to be made up, or there is still a balance on the account. If the status says “Active”, it is most likely because they have not completed some portion of the behind the wheel or observation requirement.

If you are unsure of why your paperwork has not been submitted to the Secretary of State for certification, please give us a call at 630.983.9235.

• Social Security Card
• Original or Certified copy of birth certificate
• 2 documents proving residency
• Original copy of permit
• Valid insurance and registration for vehicle
• Completed 50 hours form
• Letter from Secretary of State's office
  • This can include confirmation of completion via cyberdriveillinois.com

Scroll down to the box that says “Online Services” and click on “Drivers Education Course Completion Check.” Enter in the Instruction Permit Number and click submit. 

https://www.ilsos.gov/deccheck/

Excel recommends initially registering for a 1 Hour Behind the Wheel lesson. This allows the the driving coach to evaluate the students' skill sets before determining how many lessons may be needed.

When registering for Adult Behind the Wheel lessons, please note that while we will make every effort to accomodate preferred lesson times, and to try to get your lessons started as quickly as possible, most driving coaches schedule lessons about month or so in advance, so we cannot guarantee that a driving coach will be available at the time requested. Please check with a customer service agent before registering, if your availability is limited. 

See "Refunds" regarding any purchased lessons that go unused. 

Great question. Each person is unique in their abilities to pick up a new skill. That being said, the average adult student usually completes around 6 hours with a driving coach before applying for their license. We find our adult students to be most successful when they have a friend or family member to practice with, in addition to lessons with one of our driving coaches.   

To be eligible for their license they must take a 6 hour adult course (if they did not take the 30 hours of classroom instruction before they turned 18). Once the student is 18, there is no driving requirement, but they must obtain a Permit from the DMV before they apply for their license. They will receive information about obtaining the permit during the 6 hour course.  

Absolutely. Although this class is geared toward students between the ages of 18 and 20, this class may help you learn the Rules of the Road and prepare you for the Permit test at the DMV.    

Any refunds for unused lessons will be less a $25 service fee.

No worries, we are here to help! We offer the "Graduate to Safety" 4 Hour Remedial Class once a month, typically on the second Saturday of the month, out of our Main Office in North Naperville. Once the class is completed, we will send your information to the Secretary of State’s office so you may get your license reinstated. 

Please bring the letter you received stating you must take the Graduate To Safety Remedial Course. If you can not find this letter, please bring something that contains your Driver’s License number.